Among the featured highlights are the Products Fair with 70 exhibitors; the Rigging and Hauling Jobs of the Year Competitions; the Annual Awards and Recognition Dinner; the SC&R Foundation’s Boogie, Boots ‘n Bling Gala; golf, tennis and fun run events; the President’s Reception; the Acoustic Alchemy Guitar Reception and special receptions for international members, first-time attendees and spouses.

An impressive roster of speakers will educate and entertain attendees during special sessions throughout the Conference, including:

• Opening session speaker Curt Coffman will elaborate on why successful managers “first break all the rules.” He will explain how the best managers select an employee for talent rather than for skills or experience; set expectations; motivate employees and, finally, find the right fit for each person rather than for the next rung on the ladder.

• A panel of insurance industry experts will provide an explanation about how to assess the risks associated with any given contract and ultimately determine whether to accept the terms. The second part of the session will provide a “contract checklist” of items for both transportation and crane and rigging companies, including various additional insured endorsements and indemnity agreements. Speakers include Jeff Haynes, National Practice Leader, USI Insurance Services LLC; Robert Moore, Chief Legal Officer, NBIS; Bill Smith, Vice President, Claims and Risk Management, NBIS; and Dave Wittwer, Vice President, The Buckner Company, Inc.

• In his presentation,“The Lighter Side of Spaceflight,” Mike Mullane will explain how he realized a lifetime dream of becoming an astronaut through the practice of “mapping the edge of his performance envelope.” His session will take audience members on a space journey and leave them with a renewed sense of their potential – and the potential of their team.

• Dr. Martin Regalia, Vice President & Chief Economist of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, returns to the Annual Conference after a two-year hiatus to report of the current economic climate and his projections for 2012 and beyond. He will address stimulus spending, global construction and the general posture of the credit.

• “Enjoy the Ride,” is the advice offered by Steve Gilliland in his presentation, which will reveal through humor and reality tested techniques how to face conflicting demands in an unforgiving business environment that keeps getting tougher.

Until March 9, early-bird registration fees are available at $619 for members, $329 for their spouses and $259 for their children (12-18); nonmember early-bird registration fees  are available for $879 per registrant, $539 for their spouses, and $369 for their children (12 to 18). After that date, all registration fees increase by $70 per registration.  Fees include receptions, full breakfasts, refreshment breaks and the closing night awards and recognition dinner.

Visit www.scranet.org/2012-annual-conference now to review the program, learn more about the hotel, and register as an attendee or exhibitor. Information is also available by calling SC&RA at (703) 698-0291.

The Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association (SC&RA) is an international trade association of more than 1,300 members from 47 nations. Members are involved in specialized transportation, machinery moving and erecting, industrial maintenance, millwrighting and crane and rigging operations, manufacturing and rental. SC&RA helps members run more efficient and safer businesses by monitoring and affecting pending legislation and regulatory policies at the state and national levels; researching and reporting on safety concerns and best business practices; and providing four yearly forums where these and other relevant member issues can be advanced.

The availability of the 40 and 50 ton hand chain hoists will provide LGH’s current and prospective customer base with a more durable and rugged hand chain hoist for the tougher jobs. “Providing our customers with a variety and expansive selection of equipment is essential in helping them find the right piece of equipment for the job,” said Tony Fiscelli, President of Lifting Gear Hire Corporation. The addition of the 40 and 50 ton hand chain hoists complement LGH’s current range of hand chain hoists. Now, LGH can offer hand chain hoists ranging from 1 to 50 ton to their customers.

Founded in 1990, Lifting Gear Hire Corporation (LGH) is the United States’ largest single organization devoted exclusively to the provision of lifting and moving equipment for rent and sale. LGH provides hoisting, pulling, jacking, rigging, material handling and safety equipment available for immediate and safe use. LGH – Puts Safety First. www.lgh-usa.com

Available in a wide variety of inch and metric sizes, the Shackle-Lok(TM) has internal ball bearings within a tamper-resistant design that provides smooth 180° pivot and 360° swivel action under load. Shackle-Lok(TM) is ideal for lifting situations where conventional swivel or stationary hardware may be impractical to use. With a unique, 3-piece design, Shackle-Lok(TM) is ideal for use in low- clearance OEM applications, general rigging applications, and permanent mounting on dies, molds, fixtures, and other heavy equipment.

Easy-to-remove anchor shackles are interchangeable, and the bolt can accommodate a wide variety of alternate styles. Magnetic particle inspected Shackle-Lok(TM) is CE-certified and conforms to ASME B30.26 and RR-C-271F standards. Designed to work with numerous thread sizes, Jergens can manufacture any straight thread size, pitch, or length to meet specific lifting application requirements.

Shackle-Lok(TM) Shackle-Style Hoist Rings can be equipped with Lift ID(TM), Jergens’ exclusive automated inspection and compliance system.

Founded in 1942 to help American manufacturers operate efficiently, Jergens, Inc. is comprised of three distinct business units: Workholding Solutions, Lifting, and Specialty Fasteners. Jergens, Inc. is committed to helping its customers achieve leaner, more profitable manufacturing, and continues to add products and engineered solutions for an integrated approach to “Manufacturing Efficiency.” Jergens, Inc. is an ISO 9001:2008 certified company. For more information, please contact Jergens, Inc. at 15700 S. Waterloo Road, Cleveland, OH 44110-3898. Phone: 877-486-1454; Fax: 216-481-6193. On the Web: www.jergensinc.com. E-mail: info@jergensinc.com

LiftEx 2011 achieved record attendance figures and nearly 70% of stand space for this year’s show has already been booked. Companies wishing to exhibit should contact the LEEA events team as soon as possible on 020 8020 5060 or email events@leea.co.uk. Competitively-priced sponsorship packages are also available.

Admission to LiftEx 2012 will be free of charge for visitors. The Ricoh Arena is readily accessible from Junction 3 of the M6 and offers extensive on-site parking. In addition to those directly involved in the overhead lifting market, LiftEx 2012 will appeal to a wide range of business sectors, including health and safety, training, plant engineering and maintenance, and the construction and offshore industries.

Established in 1944, the LEEA has over 520 member companies worldwide and campaigns vigorously for higher standards of safety within the lifting industry. In addition to providing members with training and expert technical advice, the association works closely with organizations such as the Health and Safety Executive in the preparation of regulations and British, European and International standards. Member companies include those involved in the design, manufacture, hire, repair, refurbishment, test, examination, verification and use of lifting equipment. Applicants are subject to an initial technical audit before full membership is granted, and then to a continuing program of assessments. For large scale users of overhead lifting equipment, associate membership provides benefits such as access to technical information and training, without the need for auditing. Further details on the activities of the LEEA and a full list of members can be found at: www.leeaint.com

Founded by Stanley Fishfader after WWII, Coordinated is an integral part of the history of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The Coordinated Companies bring valuable services and products to the two busiest ports in the United States servicing container terminals, marine towing, marine construction, aerospace, petroleum and many diverse industries.

In 2005 Mr. Fishfader sold the business to entrepreneur and testing guru Phil Gibson, the owner and CEO of Tension Member Technology (TMT Labs) , a world renowned, multifaceted testing laboratory in Huntington Beach, California. Gibson and Fishfader had been friends and business associates for over 30 years and both felt it would be an ideal blend of companies to meld TMT Labs and all five of The Coordinated Companies.

With locations throughout California (San Leandro, Ventura, San Diego and Wilmington) Coordinated is well positioned to service ports and offshore platforms as well as the entire state with quality products and services. The specialized testing facility provides both static and functional testing on a large variety of lifting and handling components, measuring devices, tooling, hardware, cables, ropes, winches, hoists and more. They have the unique ability to apply loads up to 8,000,000 pounds in both compression and tension.

Coordinated has developed a specialized utility service truck with capabilities to perform on-site functions such as swaging up to 1-1/2” diameter wire rope slings, pouring zinc or resign sockets, test and certifying chain and lever hoists. Coordinated Companies Operations Manager, Bo Kentner, is very optimistic about the continued growth and success of this great company.

Mickler, who was employed most recently by the Alabama State Port Authority as Operations Manager of the General Cargo/Intermodal Division, will assume his new role with Barnhart to expand opportunities in logistics for over-dimensional cargo shipment and transport in the industries and markets Barnhart serves. He will be based in Barnhart’s Fairhope, AL office.

“The addition of John Mickler as the National Logistics Development Manager to the Barnhart team is a natural fit for our expanding port logistics services as well as transporting over-dimensional and super-heavy hauls with our new EastTrac and WestTrac Goldhofer dual-lane transport systems,” said Barnhart’s Jeff Latture, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing.

Since 1969, Barnhart Crane & Rigging has been providing innovative solutions to complex lifting and transportation challenges faced by heavy industry – from power generation to petrochemical to renewable energy, and beyond.  Today with over 20 branches across the U.S., Barnhart has one of the strongest equipment networks in the nation.

MCM Events

The OSHA representative will speak to ICHC delegates about, ‘What to expect during an OSHA inspection’, followed by a question and answer session. The presentation will follow an overview of OSHA 1910.179, delivered by Tom Reardon, training manager, hoists and cranes, and  Event Partner, Columbus McKinnon Corp. He will ask, ‘Does OSHA 1910.179 apply?’, and explore crane configurations, regulations and standards.

“Many of us have experienced the concern prompted by crane inspection reports listing discrepancies as OSHA violations. Not all of these reports are accurate,” says Reardon. “Some confusion exists among crane and hoist owners, users, and service providers regarding crane configurations and the application of OSHA 1910.179 regulations.”

Reardon is inviting industry stakeholders to submit questions regarding standards and regulation, to which he will source answers from ASME/ANSI, OSHA, CMAA, etc, and share them with delegates at the end of his presentation.

Additional breakout sessions are designed for the interests of users of mobile and tower cranes used in construction. Safe operation in high winds is of special concern to tower crane users in the Gulf Coast region. Brian Silbernagel, corporate safety director, and Mike Quinn, engineering manager, for Morrow Equipment Co., Salem, Ore., will address high wind and hurricane preparedness for tower cranes. The session will cover pre-erection precautions as well as what to do in the face of imminent natural disaster.

Other sessions on accident investigation, lift planning, and rigging have universal appeal. Mike Parnell, president and CEO of Industrial Training International (ITI), Woodland, Wash., will share several rigging accidents, and will delve into the resulting investigation. Al Abel, a lifting specialist and safety manager since 1995 for Mazzella Lifting Technologies, Cleveland, Ohio, will review applicable ANSI standards to help attendees prepare a lift plan that considers proper equipment selection, inspection, and connection. Mike Riggs, president of The Rigging Institute, Knoxville, Tenn., will provide insight into the most commonly overlooked defects found on both wire rope and synthetic slings.

Finally, attendees won’t want to miss the closing session with Brent Darnell, author of The People-Profit Connection. Darnell will present a session titled “Primal Safety: A gut-level approach using emotional intelligence to enhance your safety program.” Brent will demonstrate how a simple focus on emotional competencies along with practical knowledge about how people learn, retain, and apply information, can turn your safety program around.

Event Partners are Crane Institute Certification and Columbus McKinnon Corp.

Register prior to March 31, 2012 to receive the early bird rate of $550: http://www.craneandriggingconference.com/crc-ichc-2012/registration/ Rates will increase to $695 on April 1, 2012.

The crane has an approximate height of 11.5 meters with a total weight of 32 tons. It is equipped with JDN hydraulic EH 40-H monorail hoists operating on each of the twin beams, each hoist providing an individual lift capacity of 40 tons. These hoists can be operated individually or simultaneously from one control, and when used in conjunction a total lift of 80 tons is possible with a 12 meter lift height being available. A JDN Profi 6 TI-H hoist with 6 ton lift capacity is also provided to cover other operational or service requirements.

The whole energy supply system, which was designed and manufactured by JDN, incorporates four hydraulic drives provided for the crane travel movements. An electro-hydraulic switch cabinet is also mounted on the access gangway. The primary radio crane controls also have a back-up system fitted to cover any radio control panel failure. Manual operation is also accommodated to cover any unscheduled loss or failure of the electric power supply.

The crane has been designed to comply with offshore operation, at temperatures down to -20ºC. Survival conditions can also be maintained in the event of inclines from the horizontal of the rig of 3º with the crane loaded or 27º when unloaded. Operation within potentially hazardous environments is accommodated with an Ex-Classification of Ex II 3 GD IIB T4. A special safety feature is incorporated with the crane to cover any disruption to or total loss of the main power supply. This feature comprises a back-up hydraulic pump with fluid reservoir tank to provide emergency lowering of suspended loads, together with safe positioning of both hoist trolleys and crane.

The design, manufacture and performance of the crane comply with relevant standards and regulations including:
- 2006/42/EC – EC Machine directive
- DNV OS E101 – Drilling plant
- DNV Lifting appliances 2.22
- FEM 1-001 – Rules for design of hoisting appliances
- Norsok R-CR-002 – Lifting equipment

Westcon Lofteteknikk AS (WCL) is an authorized Norwegian sole importer of J D Neuhaus lifting and handling equipment.

LHR Marine have improved the standard of their sockets further and are now offering them in in strict accordance with the requirements of DNV‘s MOU 2.6 standards.  This implies, that all sockets meet & exceed the same standards as brand new chain and accessories of the eqivalent grade and are tested and certified to the same standard as new chain and accessories.

The RAM Wire Rope Socket has been designed using Finite Element Analysis (FEA).  Tests carried out have proved the RAM Wire Rope Socket is extremely torque resistant which offers a much greater strength over the AHV Stern Roller compared to conventional sockets.

LHR Marine are now also implementing the same traceability system for their sockets, which they have used for over two decades on all of their accessories.  The traceability system is proven to reliable; even after years in service, parts are permanently traceable.

The RAM Wire Rope Socket‘s mechanical properties match the class requirements for chain and accessories and it’s quality requirements are strictly linked to the chain requirements.  LHR Marine Sockets are manufactured from high alloyed steel.  All sockets are MPI tested and comply to the criteria set out by DNV’s MOU 2.6 for Castings.  RAM Wire Rope Sockets are also guaranteed to fit all of LHR Marine’s other components of the same size.

LHR Marine’s reputation for selling Mooring Equipment is well known internationally and they also represent top quality manufacturers of: Working at Height Equipment, Lifting & Handling Equipment, Marine Safety Products, Anti-Slip Solutions, Workwear, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and Industrial Supplies.  LHR Marine’s recent successes include global agreements with major subsea shipping companies and international mooring companies which have been established from their service provision for over the last ten years from Aberdeen, Scotland and Perth, Australia.

With a weight of 46.000 lb this powerful swager can swage ferrules up to size 128 (5”), and up to 6″ sleeves for Flemish eyes. Fitted with the optional rigging device this swager is in a class of it’s own, making the process of mechanical splicing and the manufacturing of slings – safe, easy and efficient.

Smart products make swaging safer.  For turn-back splicing this TALURIT^TM 3700-ton swager can be fitted with a rigging device allowing a single operator to easily and safely handle the entire operation. The rigging device simplifies the splicing process by emphasising sling eye shape and accuracy. There is also an optional lifting table, a lifting yoke and a die rack available to help lift and handle the large press dies.

“Our focus has been on creating a top-notch mechanical splicing system, which is safe and user-friendly. At the same time achieving a profitable and efficient production for our customers,” commented Thommy Andersson, CEO of Talurit AB.

The Talurit Group is constantly expanding, providing the market with its wide range of machines. A new generation of medium sized swagers has recently been released and the new cutting machine, the LK 40, has been a great success.

Based in Gothenburg, Sweden, Talurit AB is the headquarters for the TALURIT GROUP, with its two daughter companies, Talurit (UK) Ltd and Gerro GmbH, Germany. These three offices manage marketing, sales and service throughout the world. In addition, dedicated sales offices providing service support can be found in Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia and Romania.

Fore more information about the 3700-ton swager or other machines, please visit; www.talurit.com or call +46 31 709 30 80.